In H1 2016 Ukraine produced 5.5 million tons of bulk coke, up by 27% YoY. This decreased coke imports by 33%, to 535 thousand tons.
ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih traditionally imports coke from ArcelorMittal Poland, with 382.5 thousand tons imported in H1.
Another major supplier is Russia (268.6 thousand tons). But Russian coke is bought by a small number of Ukrainian companies, and not because of the shortage on the local market, but because of the higher quality. Mariupol Ilyich Iron and Steel Works and Zaporizhstal were among importers of Russian coke this year.
A serious problem for Ukrainian by-product coke chemistry is the proximity of the largest in Europe coke manufacturer – Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Works – to the military activities zone. From time to time its infrastructure gets shelled and the company halts production.
Difficulties with railroad transportation also affected the coke industry operation, especially of Alchevskkoks, Makeevkoks and Yasinovsky By-Product Coke Plant.
Analysts expect coke production to total 14 million tons in 2016, up by 20% YoY. (Ukrainian metal)